"We believe strongly that we have justice on our side, and we know we have the support of many from within and outside Birmingham, including our students, parents and members of staff," he said as he announced his resignation.

"However, we are not prepared to subject our school communities to the further period of intense and bitter pressure that our continuing as members of Park View Educational Trust will see them face."

Mr Alam said the trust had endured a "vicious and co-ordinated offensive" by Ofsted, the Education Funding Agency and the Department for Education, carrying out eight inspections in four months.

He claimed Michael Gove - who lost his job as Education Secretary in Tuesday's Cabinet reshuffle - had been the "driving force" behind unfair scrutiny of his school.

Mr Alam said "deep mistrust at the heart of Government" also gave credence to the views of disgruntled ex-staff.

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However, Mr Alam also agreed that there had been "genuine concerns" raised by current staff.

Referring to the Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Alam said: "Mr Gove's demotion today provides us with some reassurance that the Prime Minister has finally acknowledged the profound damage that has been caused by his divisive approach."

Mr Alam also urged new Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to "urgently consider" removing the head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw from his position for what he called his "role in this fiasco".

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He said the trust would continue with three new trustees to be appointed.